The cession of the Trentino would be valueless if
it implied the abandonment of Italian aspirations
in Venetia Giulia, (land west of the Julian Alps,)
in the Adriatic, and in Asia Minor, and submission
to German policy. We cannot obtain by neutrality
the territory we want, nor, if we renew the Triple
Alliance, can we make an agreement with Great Britain
for our security in the Mediterranean.

VON BUELOW’S WORK AND PLEA FOR INTERVENTION.

From the Corriere della Sera, Feb. 8, 1915:

Happily our aspirations in the Adriatic, our interests
in the Central Mediterranean and in Northern Africa
coincide admirably with the policy which it is easiest
for us to pursue. Unless we profit with the utmost
prudence, with the greatest circumspection, by the
present rare opportunity which history offers us to
set the finishing touches to our unification, to render
our land and sea frontiers immeasurably more secure
than they are, to harmonize our foreign with our domestic
policy, we shall experience after the close of the
war the darkest and most difficult days of our existence.
The crisis through which we are passing is the gravest
we have yet encountered. Let us make it a crisis
of growth, not a symptom of irreparable senile decay.

From the Stampa, March 15, 1915:

There is surely no possibility of an Austro-Italian
war without German intervention. If Italy attacks
Austria, Germany will attack Italy; nor will Austria
make concessions, for Austria, like Turkey, never changes
her system, even when wrong.

From the Giornale d’Italia, March 19, 1915:

Italy either can obtain peacefully immediate and certain
satisfaction of her sacred aspirations, together with
the protection of her great and complex interests,
or she can have recourse to the supreme test of arms.
It is absurd to think that Italy, after seven months
of preparation, when she is in an especially advantageous
diplomatic and military position, will be satisfied
with the Biblical mess of pottage or less—­mere
promises.

However negotiations go the great national interests
must be protected at any costs. This is the firm
will of the country and the duty of the Government.
For fifty years Italy has made great sacrifices to
be an element of peace in Europe. The equilibrium
and peace of the Continent were broken through the
fault of others against Italy’s desire and without
consulting her. Others have the responsibility
for the present terrible crisis, but Italy would be
unworthy if she did not issue with honor and advantage
from the conflict. Greece, Rumania, and Bulgaria
are awaiting Italy’s move and will follow suit.
Thus Italian influence is great at this moment, which
must be seized, as it is in her power to contribute
to the formation of a new international combination.